Buying a lake community home in the winter

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by Descant

Exactly. That's why it is difficult to get a good test on a system that is not in routine operation.

Sorry-I don’t understand why this would be any more difficult in the winter?
Maybe you need to locate the pump out and shovel the snow?

Other than that, the septic tests I have observed involved a calculation of flow rate from a hose ( 5 GPM target) and then the hose was placed in the pump out for a period of time while the fluid level was observed.

Other than dealing with snow/cold I don’t understand why this would be any more difficult in winter. A properly functioning system must be capable of flow in all seasons.
Can you explain what I am missing?

Thx, Bill

[chocophile]

We bought our seasonal home in February 2001, and it has worked out very well. But it was definitely a risk, and various expensive things could have gone wrong.

I agree with the comments about septic and water: do your best to understand what problems you are buying. Assume there are some problems. In the worst case, can you solve the problems with just money?

The other aspect is the neighbors... we have terrific neighbors, but it's hard to determine that when no one is around.

We looked at one home that was next to a cottage colony; in the winter it's quiet but during the summer it is very active and noisy. We passed on that home, and we are very glad now. Others like that vibe, but not us.

Our friend at the time gave us good advice: don't worry as much about problems that money can solve. In other words, things like location, physical surroundings, and neighbors are much more important.

Mitigate and understand your risks as much as possible. Good luck!

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by chocophile

We bought our seasonal home in February 2001, and it has worked out very well. But it was definitely a risk, and various expensive things could have gone wrong.

I agree with the comments about septic and water: do your best to understand what problems you are buying. Assume there are some problems. In the worst case, can you solve the problems with just money?

The other aspect is the neighbors... we have terrific neighbors, but it's hard to determine that when no one is around.

We looked at one home that was next to a cottage colony; in the winter it's quiet but during the summer it is very active and noisy. We passed on that home, and we are very glad now. Others like that vibe, but not us.

Our friend at the time gave us good advice: don't worry as much about problems that money can solve. In other words, things like location, physical surroundings, and neighbors are much more important.

Mitigate and understand your risks as much as possible. Good luck!

I remember a guy telling me years ago that he bought a condo in Laconia during the winter only to find the neighborhood was overrun by Hells Angels during the summer months. He eventually sold at a loss, swearing off the Lakes region!

[Descant]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Sorry-I don’t understand why this would be any more difficult in the winter?
Maybe you need to locate the pump out and shovel the snow?

Other than that, the septic tests I have observed involved a calculation of flow rate from a hose ( 5 GPM target) and then the hose was placed in the pump out for a period of time while the fluid level was observed.

Other than dealing with snow/cold I don’t understand why this would be any more difficult in winter. A properly functioning system must be capable of flow in all seasons.
Can you explain what I am missing?

Thx, Bill

It appears we're talking about a winterized house. Without more detail, that likely means no water for that hose you so casually pull out. In some communities, the entire water system is drained for the winter. Nothing flowing through the septic, so frozen ground deeper than might occur on an operating system. If you don't have exact measurements for the pump out, driving a rod into frozen ground may not be easy or successful. If you want to take core samples from the leach field, also very difficult. At my place there is gravity feed from toilets, etc. to the tank, then to the macerator pump, then up to the leach field. Many people remove the pump for the winter.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by Descant

It appears we're talking about a winterized house. Without more detail, that likely means no water for that hose you so casually pull out. In some communities, the entire water system is drained for the winter. Nothing flowing through the septic, so frozen ground deeper than might occur on an operating system. If you don't have exact measurements for the pump out, driving a rod into frozen ground may not be easy or successful. If you want to take core samples from the leach field, also very difficult. At my place there is gravity feed from toilets, etc. to the tank, then to the macerator pump, then up to the leach field. Many people remove the pump for the winter.

Yes, our (point) well is also shut down for winter. I would think a tank of water could/would be brought in. Can’t imagine how else flow rate of septic system could be determined?

Has anyone else had a septic system tested in winter while water supply is shut down?
Did you need to wait until spring?

It is an interesting scenario.

In any case, OP has bailed on this one. Everything happens for a reason…